ICYMI: Did North Korean Olympians receive a Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6?
The tech giant said giving them would violate UN sanctions.
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| Galaxy Z Flip 6 Olympic Edition |
No Samsung smartphone for North Korean athletes
As one of the partners for this year's Paris Olympics, Samsung gave away its latest Galaxy Z Flip 6 to nearly 17,000 athletes participating in the games. What makes their smartphones unique is that it's a special edition made for the players.
The new Olympic Edition for Paris 2024 is the first-ever Olympic Edition to feature Galaxy AI. It boasts the new Galaxy Z Flip6’s compact and versatile design, in a striking yellow colorway adorned with the Olympic rings and Paralympic agitos in gold.
Samsung partnered with the Parisian Men's Luxury Maison, who designed Team France's official outfits for the Paris 2024 Opening Ceremony, to create an exclusive Flipsuit Case that will accompany each device. Made from Venezia leather, each Flipsuit Case has a unique patina featuring a vibrant color mix inspired by the Olympic rings, celebrating the Olympic spirit and values of excellence and unity.
A number of athletes have shared the smartphones they received online.
However, it was confirmed that not all athletes received a Samsung smartphone. Reports said that the 16 North Korean Olympians did not get a Galaxy Z Flip 6.
According to a report by Koreaboo, Samsung told the media that including North Korea would violate the UN sanctions against the country over its nuclear and missile program.
Existing rules state that UN members are obligated to prevent a wide range of items from entering North Korea that could potentially be used for "nefarious purposes." South Korean authorities said that the list includes smartphones under Security Council Resolution 2397, passed in 2017, which banned the sale or transfer of all industrial machinery to North Korea.
Even if the athletes took the device home, it was unlikely they would be able to use it due to internet accessibility restrictions, South Korean officials said.
The International Olympic Committee said the phones for North Korean athletes were sent to the Olympic Village, but they were never received. It is unclear where those phones went.
Prior to this, North Koreans who participated in the 2018 Winter Olympics refused to receive Samsung devices offered by the organizing committee under the condition that they would return them before heading home.
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